"It's crazy," Maddie said at the time during an interview, adding she didn't really think being crowned queen would happen to her.

"Blown away by how fast it progressed, and so it was shocking," Andrea said about the cancer Monday. "We weren't prepared, but you know there's a little bit of a blessing in how quick it went."

When word spread of Maddie’s death, students wanted to honor her. So they sat down to twist into bows hundreds of purple ribbons and initial them for their peers to wear on Tuesday.

Purple is not only the color for thyroid cancer but also Maddie's favorite.

"Her story is so inspiring, especially becoming homecoming queen, and I think it's a good symbol of celebrating her," said Natasha Vartanian, Maddie's close friend.

"Really touching," Andrea said. "Made us really happy, sad – just kind of opens all the emotions of just how loved she was."

The parents and students who worked so hard on those ribbons said they plan on handing them out first thing in the morning. They also said word is spreading through social media, and students at other area schools also plan on wearing purple.